Callout for kids’ court sports

STAFF at YMCA Bannockburn are putting the call out for young people in the region to sign up for their junior basketball winter season.

With games starting in April and running until August, the centre’s coordinator Jessica Claridge said the Y team are wanting to boost numbers before the season’s end.

“During football season our numbers usually dwindle but we really want to keep a consecutive number of teams,” she said.

“We’re really struggling with our intermediate players, kids that are nine to 14. We’ve only got the two teams at the moment and it’s not fair that they keep playing themselves every week.

“These games are more about that social aspect for kids who don’t want to go any further with comps, they just want to come play and have a laugh.”

Competition teams are split into rookie groups for players aged five to nine years old while those aged between nine and 14 years old play in the juniors teams.

With two juniors and four rookie teams, Ms Claridge said the centre is looking to form eight teams each for both categories.

“Prior to COVID, it was booming and then afterwards, it dropped right now. Even with our men’s mixed. We’re struggling all-round with basketball,” she said.

“COVID was definitely a factor but I also feel maybe with rising costs of living, people need to choose how much sports they’re kids can do.

“We also have a program which is a bit of a pathway where if they stay with us and want to improve their skills they can move on to rec teams or competitive matches.”

Games take place on 5pm and 6pm every Tuesday.

Participants will need to have a Basketball Victoria membership before taking part in games which each cost $10.

For more information, contact YMCA Bannockburn at 5281 2316 or email [email protected].